LSU defensive end Arden Key (49) watches the review of the final touchdown against Auburn during the second half Saturday Sept. 23, 2016, at Jordan Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. The touchdown occurred after time expired. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com) ORG XMIT: ALBIN

No one on the field is going to need to point out Arden Key this weekend. Auburn will be well aware of the LSU edge rusher's presence at all times when it travels to Death Valley.

It's just a matter of keeping him out of the backfield.

"We're all going to know where he's at," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "I think it's just part of dealing with an impact player. Schematically, you've got to do the best you can to not give your guys a disadvantage or give them an advantage. You've got to play football. We'll know where he's at, but you've got to put a plan together."

Auburn knows that all too well, as the nation's 10th-ranked team is plenty familiar with LSU's single-season sack record holder. Key had seven tackles, including 1.5 sacks totaling 14 yards of losses, to go along with three quarterback hurries and a pair of sacks the last time these two SEC West rivals faced off in 2016.

It was arguably Key's most effective game of the season, even despite LSU being on the wrong end of an 18-13 affair at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn hopes to avoid a repeat of his performance on Saturday, when it travels to Tiger Stadium for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on CBS.

"There's been a lot of great players that we've faced so far, but Arden Key, yeah, he's definitely a great athlete," Auburn H-back Chandler Cox said. "We're ready for him. All respect to him, but we're going to go give him his best and give our best to him."

Key hasn't been nearly the terror he was last season, when he totaled 12 sacks -- ranking second in the SEC -- and added 11 hurries, three forced fumbles and three pass breakups. After sitting out spring while on a leave of absence and then undergoing shoulder surgery in May, Key missed the first two games of the season for LSU while rehabbing.

In his four games this season, Key has 10 tackles, including just half a sack, and two hurries. He has slowly been working his way back into shape, shedding weight from the 270 pounds he checked in at this fall. LSU coach Ed Orgeron said Monday that Key has reached his target weight of 255 pounds.

He had just one tackle and a hurry during LSU's win at Florida last weekend, but Orgeron said the junior is coming off his best week of practice this season. Auburn isn't taking him lightly.

"Arden Key is one of the dynamic players defensively in our league and you can tell that he's starting to get in shape and is starting to really play," Malzahn said.

Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who has been sacked an SEC-worst 18 times this season, said Auburn began watching film on Key and LSU on Sunday and that he's "looking forward" to seeing how the entire defense looks on the field this weekend.

Containing Key, of course, will largely fall to Auburn's offensive line, which has recovered nicely of late after a shaky start to the season. After allowing 14 sacks through the first two games, Auburn has given up just five over the last four outings.

"You've just got to study the film, study tendencies," starting offensive lineman Austin Golson said. "... Every rep, you've got to assume he's coming, because you've got to be on you're A-game. If you're not, then it's probably not going to be good for you."

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.